Footie star Barbra Banda at centre of gender row controversially named BBC Girls’s Footballer of the 12 months

A FOOTIE star on the centre of a gender row has been controversially named the BBC Girls’s Footballer of the 12 months.

Zambian striker Barbra Banda, 24, missed the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 because of elevated ­ranges of testosterone in a gender take a look at.

She has now topped the Beeb’s ballot after her efficiency on the Olympics within the summer season.

However ex-GB swimmer Sharron Davies branded her win “simply bloody ridiculous”.

And sailor Tracy Edwards known as it “the destruction of ladies’s sports activities”.

Banda, who performs for US facet Orlando Satisfaction, stated: “I’m shocked and stunned to have this.

“It’s for everybody.

“If I stored on interested by what was occurring up to now, I might not be the place I’m now.”

A BBC spokesman defended her inclusion and stated the end result was primarily based on a public vote.

1

A FOOTIE star on the centre of a gender row has been controversially named the BBC Girls’s Footballer of the 12 months.

Zambian striker Barbra Banda, 24, missed the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 because of elevated ­ranges of testosterone in a gender take a look at.

She has now topped the Beeb’s ballot after her efficiency on the Olympics within the summer season.

However ex-GB swimmer Sharron Davies branded her win “simply bloody ridiculous”.

And sailor Tracy Edwards known as it “the destruction of ladies’s sports activities”.

Banda, who performs for US facet Orlando Satisfaction, stated: “I’m shocked and stunned to have this.

“It’s for everybody.

“If I stored on interested by what was occurring up to now, I might not be the place I’m now.”

A BBC spokesman defended her inclusion and stated the end result was primarily based on a public vote.

1